Happy Anniversary

Dear Johnny,

Ten years ago today, probably about this time, you were meeting my Grandparents for the first time.  We had just driven back from getting married in D.C. and arrived at my house while Uncle Tommy was assembling the salmon crackers (that eventually went soggy because of the rain and the humidity at our reception).  I can't believe that was ten years ago, and on this day, our anniversary, I thought I would go through our anniversaries just for the fun of it.

First - We had spent the day at the beach in Rhode Island (right?) had dinner with your family, and then went off to find a hotel for the night to celebrate our anniversary.  The only thing is we had spent the night in BWI airport a few days ago, and I think I was sick from that still, I felt horrible.  As we tried to find hotels, every one we stopped at was full.  We drove for forever.  I finally cried myself to sleep from not feeling good and not finding a hotel.  I felt like Mary with there being "no room at the Inn..."  We finally found a hotel that had a vacancy, but we paid the price for it.  It was really nice, and had the most comfy bed I have ever slept in to this day.  My favorite memory of that first anniversary was when you took a shower shortly after we arrived, and you started screaming (yelping?), "it burns! it burns!"  You had been stung on a sensitive area on your body at the beach, and I guess the water made it burn... It was nice for me to laugh after feeling so awful.   My second favorite memory was of your brother David meeting us at the car rental place the next morning, and giving us his mischievous grin, "heh heh did you enjoy yourselves?" I just rolled my eyes and told him it was nothing like that.  To be sick on our first anniversary was so fun - I think it was a sign of anniversaries to come... 

Second - You surprised me with an overnight stay in a nice bed and breakfast or Inn in Park City.  It was so sweet, you had arranged with the owner to have chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider in our room when we arrived.  I was almost eight months pregnant and huge.  I just remember walking up and down those Park City Streets being huge.  We had a good dinner at some restaurant there, and the B&B made a really yummy breakfast. 

Third - We had just moved to Maryland, and my parents were visiting.  They watched Trevan, while you took me to a nice restaurant out by the sound or bay or something...  Then Chris and Becky arrived to move to D.C. and spent the night with us, and it was their actual anniversary that day, and I think I made a cake or something to celebrate our anniversaries together the next night when it was our actual anniversary. 

Fourth - We went to the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.  We took Trevan with us.  It was a surprise, and I was mad because you didn't pack anything for the beach.  No toys for Trevan, no umbrella, no chairs, no nothing.  If you had told me, I could have put everything together, but you didn't...  I remember you dropped us off at the beach and then went to buy stuff, while I sat on the beach with Trevan mad.  :)  Good times! 

Fifth - Another surprise.  You took me to the most expensive hotel.  Plus, it had a golf tournament going on there at the same time, making the cost even more expensive.  I was so mad that you spent all that money.  AND you had reservations to eat the hotel too, and we were both disappointed with the quality of the food for the price we paid.  We totally got ripped off.  AND you didn't arrange for a sitter for Trevan, so he came with us too.  We made him a nice bed out of the chair in our room.  I just remember being mad at you because you didn't give me enough notice and I looked like poo at this nice restaurant.  I was also pregnant with Mallary, so that added to the madness I think...  :)  But, I do remember swimming at the pool after dinner and it was nice to float in the pool and feel weightless because I was so huge and pregnant. 

Sixth - I have no idea what we did this year.  I don't think you do either...  You said we stayed home one year and made fondue to celebrate, but I think you are confusing that with Valentine's Day... So who knows what we did.  But, I do remember what you got me... a Tom Tom (which you said was because you knows I don't like getting lost, and that you'd be lost without me) but I made you take it back because it was over our monetary limit, and I didn't like the thought that you had really bought yourself a gadget for my anniversary present. I'm a stinker, I know. (Though, honestly I should have kept it because I bought one that same year in November...)

Seventh -  I threw you a surprise anniversary party - a seven year itch party.  To celebrate, we went to Mrytle Beach and took the kids with us.  It was such a fun trip.  Our hotel had a lazy river and a bowling alley, and the kids had a blast.  The water was so perfect, and I remember not wanting to leave!!!  It was a really nice trip.  I was barely pregnant with Jonah. 

Eighth - We dropped the kids off at my sisters, stopped at the hotel dropped off our stuff, relaxed, then went to Carrabbas for dinner.  The next day at Virginia Beach was fun.  My boogie board started to fall apart and was polluting the Atlantic Ocean. Your boogie board broke too.  We ate somewhere on our way back to get the kids, I just can't remember where... 

Ninth - The Melting Pot.  Was it a surprise?  Or had you figured out I don't like some of those surprises yet?  :)  You had come there early on your lunch break from work with rose petals for them to put on our table, and sparkling cider.  It was sweet, and a very relaxing evening. 

Tenth - Although we were supposed to be spending this anniversary in Hawaii, here I am typing this from our kitchen table.   :)  I was in the shower earlier thinking about our anniversary while Jonah was banging on the bathroom door, and listening to the other kids scream at each other for some reason, and thinking how far we've come in ten years!  Three kids, and another one on the way.  So, this is actually our fifth anniversary we've celebrated while I've been pregnant. (I was barely pregnant when we went to Ocean City with the one I miscarried)  It's kind of fun to think about where we will be in another ten years...  DEFINITELY NOT PREGNANT, and hopefully in an exotic location!

Though we don't have a lot of money for expensive gifts or a trip away this year.  I hope you'll enjoy the weed eater we'll buy 'in honor of our anniversary,' and every time I use the electric mixer we'll buy 'in honor of our anniversary' I'll think of our ten years.  Plus, my other gift to you was cleaning the ledge by the stairs. You're welcome. 

(Finished the day after our anniversary...)

Last night as you spilled food down your shirt at Carrabba's, I pictured our first date where you dribbled fajitas down your shirt.  Even in ten years, some things haven't changed.  Then while at dinner, I decided we really needed to get you new glasses, because looking at your crooked, nose piece-less, super glued glasses for an hour will do that to a person.  Once again, some things haven't changed...

I enjoyed shopping for glasses with you, especially when you tried on all the Harry Potter style glasses...  Cold Stone was yummy too.  And true to form, just like when we were engaged, we fell asleep watching a movie. 

Yesterday, at the playground with the kids, there were some big pieces of mulch that went through the soles of my Teva flip flops.  As I sat in the van digging them out, I realized I bought them when we were engaged.  I figured after ten years it would be okay if I threw them away, especially since they are a hazard to my feet, and without a tread they are a hazard to my life on wet surfaces.  Maybe there's a metaphor in there somewhere that if I throw away flip flops from ten years ago, I can throw away "hazards" in our marriage that are ten years old.  :)  

Here's to ten more years...How lucky I am to have found such a great man who cleans bathrooms, and does dishes, and loves me unconditionally.  Very lucky indeed.   

I love you.

Happy Anniversary,
Holly